National service for ‘07 kids

PETALING JAYA: Only those born in 2007 will be called for the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) if it is to be implemented by next year, says the Defence Ministry.

The ministry explained that the trainees would be selected based on their year of birth.

“For example, if PLKN is to be implemented in 2024, only youths born in 2007 will be called in.

“If the selected trainees are unable to participate in the national service training for valid reasons, they can apply for a postponement.

ALSO READ : PLKN deferment up to age 35 ‘a good option’

“The maximum age limit to become a trainee is 35,” said the ministry in a statement yesterday.

The ministry hoped the explanation on the matter could clear the confusion among the public on the age of eligibility of participants for the revived national service programme.

On Oct 31, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced the revival of the programme called PLKN 3.0, which targets youths who have completed their SPM examinations.

The public raised their concern after the ministry mentioned that the programme would target those aged between 16 and 35.

When PLKN was introduced in 2004 as a compulsory three-month programme, it involved a random selection of youths who had turned 18.

It was halted in 2015 before being reintroduced the following year, with participation to be made optional by 2019.

However, it was scrapped in August 2018 after Pakatan Harapan took over the Federal Government in May that year.